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, the State recognizes that the attainment of a just, comprehensive andlasting peace under the rule of law and in accordance with Constitutional processes isthe basic foundation of economic development and national prosperity;

, the Government implements a comprehensive peace process alongthe "Six Paths to Peace" that must be pursued simultaneously in a coordinated andintegrated fashion, as provided for under Executive Order No. 3 issued on 28 February2001;

, the "third path" to peace is the Government's pursuit of a peaceful

and negotiated settlement with the different rebel groups, including the Communist

Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF);

, the Government recognizes that respect for human rights and

international humanitarian law is of crucial importance and urgent necessity in laying

the ground for a just and lasting peace;

, the parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for

Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) on 16 March 1998 in

The Hague to guarantee the protection of human rights to all Filipinos under all

circumstances by primarily addressing violations and abuses of Human rights and the

principles of international humanitarian law;

WHEREAS, Part V of the CARHRIHL provides for the formation of a  Joint

Monitoring Committee (JMC) that shall monitor the implementation of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the parties signed the Operational Guidelines for the JMC on 14

February 2004 in Oslo which provided the manner by which to operationalize the JMCand monitor the implementation of and achieve the purposes of the CARHRIHL;

, President of the Republicof the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

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- There is hereby created the Government of the Republic of the PhilippinesMonitoring Committee (GRP-MC) on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Lawwhich shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) Members, with two (2) Observersfrom human rights organizations, all of whom shall be designated by the GRP Panel in thepeace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF. The GRP-MC shall operate under the supervisionof the GRP Panel, which shall also provide overall support in the management and

operation of the GRP-MC.

- The GRP-MC shall have the following powersand functions:

a. Represent the Government in the JMC under the CARHRIHL, and perform itsfunctions, jointly with or separately from the National Democratic Front of thePhilippines, in accordance with the CARHRIHL and the Operational Guidelines for theJMC, and with the Philippine Constitution, existing laws, and jurisprudence;

b. Monitor the status of the implementation of the CARHRIHL by concerned units andagencies of the Government, and request the concerned agencies to address throughappropriate actions the non-implementation or any violation of the Agreement;

c. Work closely with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of the Philippines withregard to its constitutional mandate to investigate human rights violations and monitorthe Governments' compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights.For this purpose, the GRP-MG shall provide CHR with regular updates concerning itswork;

d. Coordinate with concerned units and agencies of the Government, as well as civilsociety groups and other entities, far any assistance as may be necessary in the

performance of its functions;

e. Create, if necessary, local monitoring teams and other similar bodies throughout thecountry to provide assistance in the performance of its functions;

f. Submit, as often as necessary, reports to the GRP Panel on the status of its work,including recommendations to address reported cases of violations of human rights andIHL principles;

g. Provide regular updates to concerned units and agencies of the Government, as wellas civil society groups and other entities, on the status of its work;

h. Adopt the implementing rules and regulations for the conduct of its work; and

i. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the GRP Panel and necessary toensure the effective and efficient monitoring of the implementation of the CARHRIHL.

- All agencies of the Government are hereby directed to providethe necessary cooperation and support to the GRP-MC to ensure the timely and effectiveimplementation of the provisions of the CARHRIHL.

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 - The GRP Panel Secretariat, including

representatives of concerned government agencies that may be designated by the GRP Panel,shall extend necessary technical and administrative support to the GRP-MC. The Office of thePresidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) shall provide the GRP-MC with adequateoffice space and facilities.

- The Department of Budget and Management is herebydirected to release the amount of TEN MILLION PESOS (P10,OOO,OOQ.00) from thePresident's Contingent Fund to initially cover the operational expenses of the GRP-MC and itsSecretariat. The fund requirements of the GRP-MC and its Secretariat for the succeeding yearsshall be included in the OPAPP budget.

- All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or partsthereof, which are inconsistent with the Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modifiedaccordingly.

- This Executive Order shall take effect immediately

upon its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.DONE in the City of Manila, this   day of in the year of Our Lord,

Two Thousand and Five.

By the President:

EDUARDO R. ERMITAExecutive Secretary